Posted on 02/11/2002 6:40:47 AM PST by rightwing2
Solving the 'immigration problem'
© 2002 WorldNetDaily.com
Alan Keyes,2-11-02
If all has gone well, by the time you read this, the world will have gathered in Salt Lake City for the beginning of the 2002 Winter Olympics. Of course, there is nothing new about the world coming to America. Indeed, the Olympics seem an apt metaphor for the country itself. We are a community of people drawn from many nations, united in friendly competition, but united more in friendship and mutual good will. And like a permanent Olympic Village, Americans delight in a friendship and good will that – in defiance of the ages of tribal war and racial conflict around the world – transcend the divisions of race, creed and culture to be truly a community of human persons, as such.
America stands for more than herself in any time, but now more than ever. As the tattered flag from the World Trade Center concretely demonstrated in the opening ceremony, the American flag is a symbol of all humanity. In our diversity, America is of universal significance – all mankind is concerned in the fate of America, and we, in turn, have a concern in the fate of all mankind. For America is a community of all mankind. And our current conflict with the forces of terror is a struggle against a threat to all human beings.
For these reasons, it is ironic that some argue we must respond to the threat of terror – and to the longstanding challenges of immigration – by abandoning America's tradition of openness to the world. In this moment of unexpected renewal of America's significance for the world, we must take care above all not to lose sight ourselves of the legitimacy of the aspirations of millions of people around the world to participate in the dignity of self-government that is preeminently found in American citizenship. God willing, it will always remain true that the dream of becoming an American will inspire people everywhere, because it is one way to lay effective claim to respect for the dignity all men share. Immigration into America will remain a legitimate hope for millions, so long as America remains a beachhead of human dignity in a world of tyranny and oppression.
Successful incorporation of immigrants into the American body politic is important not just for their sake, but for the vindication it represents of the fundamental American faith that dignified self-government is the vocation of all people, everywhere. We take the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free, and we turn them into free men and women. And each time we do so, the rulers they left behind are convicted again by this proof that it is not the people who are unfit for liberty, but the governments that are unworthy of the people.
The immigration "problem" in America today is not a question of numbers, but of our failure effectively to welcome those who do come by educating them in American principles, and evoking their real commitment of heart to the unique American way of life that represents a hope for the destiny of the world. We have largely abandoned the process of educating newcomers in the special principles of the American way of life. This failure, of course, is the natural result of the even deeper problem of our own retreat from these principles – for how can we demand of newcomers what we scarcely acknowledge in ourselves? Our own schools have retreated from our commitment to that special understanding of principle, of human dignity, of human justice and of free enterprise that constitute our unique identity and represent a universal appeal for the world.
A renewed dedication to civic education as part of the immigration process would solve a multitude of problems, and renew our national understanding that immigration is not a curse, but a blessing. It would help weed out those who are coming simply for economic reasons, and are unwilling to accept the real discipline of American citizenship – of responsible liberty. And it would, as well, provide a first broad form of security against those who wish to enter America to do us harm. Most importantly, a return to generous but disciplined extension of the citizenship privilege would renew our own hearts. For like the blessings of friendship in the pursuit of excellence that are the best fruit of the Olympics, we cannot extend the blessings of liberty to others without offering them more effectively to ourselves.
You seem to be losing perspective of the issues by attaching a far greater importance on your support of Bush and using that loyalty as your prism to judge motivations of others. Did you know that even Presidents are "Civil Servants" not "Kings"? Don't criticize others for rightfully questioning candidates they have supported on the issues when you blindly follow Bush to whatever path he takes you. In other words, not everyone is like you. Some actually think about the issues before mindlessly worshipping a politician.
Keyes position has nothing to do with illegal immigration, or even legal immigration, as I guess you know, nor are his leading supporters any part of the 'kick out the Hispanics, legal or illegal' crowd typified by the now departed Carol HuTex, as I am sure you also know.
I am almost certain there will be tightening of immigration laws and procedures, given the information that has come from the administration over the last couple of weeks.
This has nothing to do with the article, which is not about immigration policies, but instead deals with what we are to do with our existing legal Hispanic immigrants
Keyes is taking a stand that is not consistent with what the administration is proposing.
This is simply false, and if you realize that you are basing this idea upon what you are 'almost certain' the President will support, as opposed to what he actually does publicly support, you will recognize that on this matter, at least, Keyes is the Bush supporter, while you 'bash' the President's announced policy.
On other threads, where various Freepers denounce the pro-life position, saying that the President isn't really pro-life, they take the position that the President is not a man of principle. I give the President more credit than you and they do. I believe that he is an honest, straightforward principled statesman, who means what he says, and says what he means. Therefore I accept it when he says that he is pro-life, and that he is in favor of an acceptance into American society of our Hispanic American brothers. Unfortunately, you seem to believe that the president is more devious, almost Clintonian, in his approach to policy matters. Dr. Keyes is simply giving support to the President's announced policy.
I believe that you are a relative 'newbie' on threads about Alan Keyes. If you were not, you would recognize that I am generally considered a Keyes supporter, and the folks who I directed my post to are all supposed 'Bush supporters', who continually bash Keyes on the grounds that he is not supportive enough of the President. They have always taken any public disagreement with the President by Dr. Keyes as being beyond the pale. I pointed out that logic required them to acknowledge support by Dr. Keyes of the President's positions. As you may have noticed, their response so far has been to deny the reality of the President's position on immigration.
He said that in Wisconsin today didn't he? I saw the headline didn't read the story yet. Looks like Bush isn't exactly adverse to the idea of cradle to grave socialism. What this world needs is just one country that isn't adverse to the idea of capitalism.
Miss Marple even says that Dr. Keyes' support for the President's policies are not actually supportive, because she is 'almost certain' that the President will change his announced, and long stated policies on Hispanic integration into American society. Apparently she supports President Bush because she thinks he is sort of a right wing Bill Clinton.
I guess I am. I was looking at the opinions on this board and not past and current political affiliations of the posters with respect to Bush and Keyes.
And I am a proud supporter of Alan Keyes, who always has the best interests of the country at heart. I guess we are partners.
Kind of hard to tell the players without a scorecard sometimes, I think?
Do you think Governor Bush would be giving critical interviews to the New York Times?
Case closed.
This is true, sort of the bandwagon effect. It has something to do with "going with the flow", not upsetting the applecart etc.
Prior to 9/11 the flow was in the direction of more amnesties and benefits for the illegals. But since then, it seems, at least for now, to be going in the other direction of tightening things up. And you're seeing more politicians talking that talk. It's a lot more difficult now to label someone a "racist" for wanting to close the borders to keep out potential terrorists.
The idea of just doing away with borders and letting in anyone who wants to come here is not conducive to national security or cohesion. Hopefully the events of 9/11 will have opened some of the eyes of those like Ben Wattenburg. But Bob Bartley is a lost cause. He's just quieted down for now, but he'll be back when he thinks it's ok to start his nonsense again.
For example, the guest worker program has been portrayed as open borders and/or amnesty. That is a false interpretation of the proposed policy.
I stand by my statement. Keyes always takes the counter position. Furthermore, he takes DIVISIVE counter positions. Have you not noticed this?
He must have learned this tactic from his former roomate and campaign manager.
I know what you mean. Instead of Bush proving how liberal he is we would see Gore proving how conservative he is. I guess in the end I'm still glad that Bush won because I could not imagine Gore successfully taking on and dismantling international terrorism like Bush is doing. That said, most other things out of this administration really disturbs me. Especially Bush’s views on maintaining the immigration free for all in America and the Amnesty deal for illegal aliens he is advocating.
Immigration policy will eventually be made clear. Until then, everyone is arguing over suppositions, including you. So am I, but I think I read the President better than you do.
Now, go find someone else to bother. I am going to another thread.
Don't you get it AppyPappy, Miss Marple is an arrogant interloper from DemUnderground, here to spread dissention between the two closest factions in the Republican Party, the Bush and Keyes backers. You never find her fighting those who are actually opposed to Bush's policies. This is because SHE DOES NOT SUPPORT BUSH! Just last night, one of her colleagues, Califreeper, was caught out as a DU plant. Soon she will give herself away as another saboteur, and will go the way of Califreeper, now known as 'no current freeper'.
I agree that there has been a attitudinal change even among some of the One Worlders since 9/11 but I would hope that it is not just the terrorist threat that is driving a slightly less reckless approach to immigration in DC these days. We, as you know, are continuing to pile in immigrants from 3rd world countries from around the world at a near parabolic rate and if history is any guide this will cause serious problems in the years to come.
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